I Travelled To Ranthambore National Park But Couldn’t Spot Tigers. Here’s What Made My Trip Worth It!

I like wildlife. And it’s natural for me to look for opportunities to explore it and see those majestic animals roam freely in their natural habitat. Recently, I got an opportunity to visit Ranthambhore National Park. Yes, home to gorgeous tigers. Though I wasn’t lucky enough to spot any, I had an amazing time at India’s well-known national park. Let me tell you what made my trip worth it. 

Inside My Trip To Ranthambore National Park 

Wildlife does not obey our commands. Which means we can’t just decide to spot a tiger and have one appear in front of us. With my two trips to Jim Corbett National Park and one to Ranthambhore, I have realised something. No matter how much you hope to see a tiger roaming around your jeep, it never really works out that way. But instead of feeling sad about it, I have come to love wildlife so much that even visiting jungles and being amidst nature counts as an experience for me.

So, recently, my family decided to plan a trip to Ranthambhore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. It was a much-anticipated trip, and yes, I was excited to see the tigers in the wild. We reached Sawai Madhopur via the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which took around 3.5 to 4 hours. The journey was great, and the long drive added to the excitement.

Also Read: Beyond Tigers: 6 Exotic Animals You Can Spot In Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

I Stayed At The Tiger Moon Resort 

Since we wanted a raw experience, we opted for Tiger Moon Resort, which is quite close to the Ranthambhore National Park. The property wasn’t luxurious, but it had that rustic feel, which made us feel close to nature. Think of something built right in the middle of a jungle. The resort has a jungle-like setup and spacious cottages. We booked a cottage with a balcony overlooking the garden. The cottage room cost us around ₹3500 per night. Amazing, right? That’s pretty reasonable for such a wild experience!

But let me also tell you, since the resort is close to the jungle, I saw a lot of grasshoppers hopping around our balcony and sometimes even in our room! Some langurs and monkeys often visited our balcony looking for chips or biscuits. It was totally fun. The day passed quickly since we had a safari planned for the next morning. At night, eerie jungle sounds kept us awake. The staff even shared that leopards had been spotted around the resort several times. They also warned us to retire to our rooms early and stay put inside during the nights. 

The Tiger-Less Safari Experience

The next morning, it was finally safari time. We opted for an early morning slot. Since it was October, the staff told us that the chances of spotting a tiger were higher during this time. We climbed into the jeep, excited and ready. Honestly, I was fully prepared to see a big cat. Maybe Lady Luck wasn’t smiling upon us, or the tiger had other plans; I couldn’t spot a big cat. 

However, I spotted wild boars and a ‘barasingha’ roaming freely in the jungle. Though we didn’t see a tiger, the whole experience of imagining one nearby kept me curious. The jungle was quiet, filled with chirping bird calls and eerie sounds. At one point, I even felt like I was in that old Bollywood film Kaal!

Exploring Ranthambhore Fort & Trinetra Ganesh Temple

The same evening turned out to be exciting. After returning to the resort in the afternoon, we decided to visit the famous Ranthambhore Fort, located inside the national park in Sawai Madhopur. Apart from wildlife, history also interests me, so I was quite excited about visiting the fort.

The fort’s massive metal gates and high walls transported me to an era of battles. The Ranthambhore Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The weather was pleasant, and yes, I spotted monkeys and peacocks on the way too! A local guide told us that the fort had witnessed many wars. One of the main ones was in 1301 when Alauddin Khilji attacked and captured it.

We then made our way to the Trinetra Ganesh Temple, located inside the fort. If you ever visit Ranthambhore, make sure to add this to your list. But wear comfortable shoes because there are nearly 250-300 steps to climb. The temple is one of the oldest Ganesh temples in Rajasthan, and has a unique three-eyed idol of Lord Ganesha, hence it is named ‘Trinetra Ganesh Temple.’ It’s the only temple in the world where Lord Ganesha is present with his whole family. The temple is undoubtedly very special. 

The experience at the fort and temple was wonderful. There was a sense of peace mixed with history. Since it was getting late, locals advised us to leave before dark, as tigers from the nearby jungles are sometimes spotted near the fort after sunset.

Also Read: Best Time to Visit Ranthambore: How Winter, Summer, And The Changing Seasons Shape Your Safari Experience

I Spotted Hyenas On My Trip To Ranthambore National Park

Back at the resort, something even more thrilling happened. Our family was relaxing by the pool when suddenly a nilgai, the largest antelope in Asia, ran past us! We were scared, yes! But the staff assured us it was normal. Nilgais are often prey for leopards that lurk near the resort, and apparently, this one had entered through an opening at the back. If you ever plan to visit Ranthambhore, choose this resort only if you want a true wildlife experience. It was scary but unforgettable!

Another family staying at the resort proved to be true wildlife lovers. They had booked a cottage just to spend evenings at the resort’s observation deck, a terrace that offers a full jungle view. They had come fully prepared with a wildlife-friendly flashlight to spot animals at night. That evening, under the moonlight, we spotted hyenas three times! The staff told us a leopard had been seen at the same spot just two days earlier. Sitting under the glowing moon, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle, felt so far from my life in Delhi.

The resort also offered pottery workshops by a local potter. It was my first pottery class, and honestly, it was therapeutic. I even made a small pot to take back home!

So that’s it! This was my trip to Ranthambhore National Park. Even though I didn’t spot a tiger, I had the best time. I wasn’t disappointed at all. Travelling all the way from Delhi to experience the jungle felt like an adventure on its own. It was raw, real, and unlike any other trip.  I stayed at Tiger Moon Resort, which is right near the jungle. If you want a similar experience, you can book a cottage there. Some other great options nearby include Ranthambore Tiger Resort, Raj Palace Resort, and more.

Also Read: Gir National Park: Where To Stay, How To Book Lion Safari, Exotic Animals To Spot At Gujarat’s Wildlife Reserve

I had a wonderful experience on my trip to Ranthambore National Park, and I really can’t wait to go back again. I might not have spotted a tiger, but I’m sure the tiger must have seen us. There’s a saying that goes, “The tiger will see you a hundred times before you see him once.” And I truly believe that!

Cover Image Courtesy: Ashmeet Guliani